Folding table



D. J. POWERS. FOLDING TABLE.

N0. 244,401. Patented July 19,1881.

UNITED STATES PATENTv OFFICE.

DAVID J. POWERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming `part of Letters Patent No. 244,401, dated July 19, 1881.

' Application filed March 8, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, DAVID J. POWERS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

" My invention relates to an improvement in folding tables; and theobject of the improvement is to simplify and cheapen the means for securing the legs of the table in position when unfolded, and I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, in which- Figure l is a bottom-plan view of the table. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the table, and Fig. 3 is a section on line x x, showing the table folded.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in the specication.

A represents the table-top, which may be of any desired size. Near each end of the top A are two cross battens or cleats, B B, which may be secured to the top by screws or otherwise. The legs, connected by cross-bars C C, are hinged to the top upon the under side and inside of the battens B B in such position as to press firmly against the inside of the battens when unfolded, as shown in Fig. 2.

. Between the cross-bars of the legs and parallel with the table-top is adouble-ended spring,

' D, attached centrally to the said top in such manner that the ends a and d are adapted to latch inside of the cross-bars of the legs when said legs are unfolded, thus holdin g them firmly in position against the battens and at the same time capable of being sprung up far enough to4 I do not wish to confine myself to the use of a double spring, as shown, as two separate springs, either passing each other, meeting in the center, or shorter than to meetcentrally, may be used as found preferable, eith erof them, when properly applied, working equally well.

I am also aware that folding tables have been hitherto made with leg-structures folding and unfolding, but supported in an unfolded position, both in and outward, wholly by either a notch in the spring device adapted to engage with the stretcher or cross-bar of the legs, or by a hole and pin, and without any use of the battens B B for that purpose. While in my device I employ the battens for my outward support and the ends of the springs D D for my inward support, so applied that they tighten upon an angle, thus at all times taking up all slack from wear, shrinkage or other cause, thus always holding the legs firmly in position at all times, and thus making both the best and cheapest device for the purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows The combination, with the table-top having the end battens, B B, and the .hinged legs connect-ed at their upper ends by the angular cross-bars C C of the dat longitudinal spring D, attached at or near the center of thetabletop and having free disconnected outer ends, constructed, as shown and described, to bear upon the cross-bars to retain the hinged legs in a folded position, and to abut against the inner edges of the cross-bars to retain the legs in an unfolded position, as set forth, whereby the hinged legs are held in both their folded and unfolded positions without the employment of pin-connections, as set forth.

DAVID J. POWERS. Witnesses:

FREDERICK C. GOODWIN, HENRY S. TowLE. 

